Control unit for displaying a load of a networking cable

ABSTRACT

Provided is a control unit for displaying a network load sustained on a networking cable. The control unit requests a current network load of the networking cable from a monitoring circuit. The control unit receives the current network load from the monitoring circuit. The control unit instructs a visual indicator to display the current network load of the networking cable.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of computernetworking systems, and more particularly to a control unit fordisplaying a network traffic load sustained on a networking cable.

Monitoring network traffic on a computer system, server, or the like, isan important tool for maintaining a functioning network. In someinstances, high traffic loads may cause an adverse effect on the healthof the system. For example, a high traffic load may be indicative of amalware outbreak or a hacking attempt. Alternatively, a low traffic loador no traffic load may indicate an issue with a connected server.Monitoring software may be utilized on a connected device to determinethe network traffic load, but this software requires a user to have thedevice with them to determine the load. In some instances, a user may bewithout a connected device and desire a physical indicator of thetraffic sustained on a network or networking cable.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a method, computer programproduct, and control unit for displaying a network traffic load of anetworking cable. The control unit requests the network traffic load ofa networking cable from a monitoring circuit via a microcontroller. Thecontrol unit receives the current network traffic load of the networkingcable from the monitoring circuit. The control unit instructs a visualindicator to display the network traffic load of the networking cable.

The above summary is not intended to describe each illustratedembodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings included in the present disclosure are incorporated into,and form part of, the specification. They illustrate embodiments of thepresent disclosure and, along with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the disclosure. The drawings are only illustrative oftypical embodiments and do not limit the disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a control unit communicativelycoupled to a networking cable, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example embodiment of an Ethernet cable with anoperably connected control unit, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross sectional view of the example Ethernet cableof FIG. 2 taken along line 3-3, in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example circuit diagram of the control unitcommunicatively coupled to an Ethernet cable, in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram of an example process for displaying anetwork traffic load using a visual indicator, in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of an example process for instructinga visual indicator to display a color corresponding to the networktraffic load of a networking cable, in accordance with embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a high-level block diagram of an example computersystem that may be used in implementing one or more of the methods,tools, and modules, and any related functions, described herein, inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

While the embodiments described herein are amenable to variousmodifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shownby way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that the particular embodiments describedare not to be taken in a limiting sense. On the contrary, the intentionis to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives fallingwithin the spirit and scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to the field ofcomputer networking systems, and more particularly to a control unit forvisually displaying a network load sustained on a networking cable.While the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to suchapplications, various aspects of the disclosure may be appreciatedthrough a discussion of various examples using this context.

Monitoring network traffic of a computing network is an important taskfor maintaining a functional network. In many instances, a server roomadministrator is tasked with monitoring and maintaining the network.However, it may be difficult to monitor the network traffic load whilethe server room administrator is physically in the server room. Further,server rooms typically include multiple servers that are connected toeach other via complicated networking cable patterns. In many instances,it is difficult for the server room administrator to determine a path ofeach networking cable used to connect specific servers of the network.Embodiments of the present disclosure utilize a control unit todetermine the network traffic load of a networking cable, whereby acolor corresponding to the determined network traffic is displayed alongthe length of the cable through a visual indicator. Thus, the presentdisclosure allows a user to visually determine the current network loadof networking cable, while further allowing the user to trace therespective cable from end to end.

For illustrative purposes, embodiments of the present disclosure asapplied to an Ethernet cable are described in detail herein. Inalternative embodiments, the networking cable may be any type of cable,such as a fiber optic cable. In one embodiment, the control unit isoperably connected to the Ethernet cable. However, in alternativeembodiments, it is contemplated that the control unit may be wirelesslycoupled to the Ethernet cable.

Referring now to FIG. 1, shown is a block diagram of a control unit 101communicatively coupled to a networking cable 102, in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure. The networking cable may be anytype of cable, such as an Ethernet cable or Fiber optic cable. Thecontrol unit 101 may be a computer system that may be substantiallysimilar to, or the same as, computer system 1101 described in FIG. 7. Inthe illustrative embodiment, the control unit 101 includes amicrocontroller 103. In some embodiments, the microcontroller 103 mayinclude a processor.

The microcontroller 103 is communicatively coupled to a monitoringcircuit 104. The monitoring circuit 104 is configured to monitor thenetwork traffic load sustained on the networking cable 102, such thatthe monitoring circuit 104 can determine the current network load of thenetworking cable 102. For example, the monitoring circuit 104 maydetermine the network load of the networking cable 102 is a high trafficload, medium traffic load, or a low traffic load. The determined networkload may be shown by a visual indicator 105 by displaying a color thatcorresponds to the determined network load, such as red for a hightraffic load, yellow for a medium traffic load, and blue for a lowtraffic load. However, it is contemplated that in alternativeembodiments, further network load determinations and color patterns maybe used.

The visual indicator 105 is configured to display a color thatcorresponds to a current network load of the networking cable, asdetermined by the monitoring circuit. The visual indicator 105 may beany kind of display unit capable of displaying various colors, such as aRed, Blue and Green Light Emitting Diode (RGB LED). The visual indicator105 is operably connected to the microcontroller 103, such that it candisplay a color corresponding to the determined load when prompted bythe microcontroller 103. In the illustrative embodiment, the visualindicator 105 is disposed within the networking cable 102. However, inalternative embodiments, the visual indicator 105 may be disposed withinthe control unit 101. In some embodiments, the visual indicator 105 mayinclude a plastic optical fiber that runs the length of the networkingcable 102. In this way, the networking cable 102 may be illuminatedalong its length with a color corresponding to the determined networkload, such that a user can easily determine the current network load bylooking at the networking cable 102.

In the illustrative embodiment, the control unit 101 further includes aninterface 107 that is communicatively coupled to the microcontroller103. The interface 107 may be any type of interface for communicatingwith the control unit 101, such as an input port or a graphical userinterface (GUI). For example, a user may communicate with the controlunit 101 by utilizing the interface 107 to program the microcontroller103 to display alternative colors or varying levels of network loads. Inalternative embodiments, a user may be able to wirelessly communicatewith the control unit 101 via a communicatively coupled device, such asa mobile device.

In the illustrative embodiment, the control unit 101 includes anactuator 108 that is communicatively coupled to the microcontroller 103.The actuator 108 is configured to modify the output of the visualindicator (e.g., to blink/strobe the visual indicator 105) whenactivated. The actuator 108 may be configured as a button, toggle, orswitch that can be selectively activated by a user. For example, a user,such as a server room administrator, may activate the actuator 108 toblink the visual indicator 105 disposed along the length of thenetworking cable 102, thereby allowing the user to visually see wherethe networking cable 102 begins and ends when hidden within a complexwiring pattern within a server room. In this way, a server roomadministrator would be able to distinguish one networking cable fromanother if all the networking cables are equipped with visualindicators, wherein the visual indicators are displaying the samenetwork load color. In some embodiments, the actuator 108 may cause thevisual indicator to switch to a unique color (e.g., a color notassociated with a network load) to differentiate the networking cablefrom other cables that may be displaying their respective network loads.

In the illustrated embodiment, the control unit 101 further includes apower source 109. It is contemplated that in one embodiment thenetworking cable 102 is an Ethernet cable, wherein the power source is aPower over Ethernet (PoE) power source, for example, powered using anIEEE 802.3af standard switch. However, in alternative embodiments, suchas where the networking cable is another type of cable, such as a fiberoptic cable, the power source 109 may be any type of power source, suchas an AC adapter, battery, or solar power source. In this way, utilizingvarious power source options allows the networking cable to be used formany types of server room implementations. In some embodiments, thenetworking cable 102 may be powered using any combination of powersources, such a PoE and an AC adapter.

Referring now to FIG. 2, shown is an example embodiment of an Ethernetcable 200 with an operably connected control unit 101, in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure. In the illustrativeembodiment, the networking cable 102 (as referenced in FIG. 1) isexemplified as an Ethernet cable 200, wherein the control unit 101 isoperably connected thereto. The Ethernet cable 200 includes a pair ofmodified RJ45 connections 201 disposed at distal ends thereof. Themodified RJ45 connections 201 are configured to allow the monitoringcircuit of the control unit 101 to monitor the network load sustained bythe Ethernet cable 200.

In the illustrative embodiment, the visual indicator 105 (as referencedin FIG. 1) is disposed along the length of the Ethernet cable 200. Thevisual indicator 105 displays a color that is associated with thedetermined network load of the Ethernet cable 200. In this way, a usercan easily see and decipher what the current network load of theEthernet cable 200 is sustaining simply by looking at the cable. Forexample, a high network load may be displayed by a red color along thelength of the Ethernet cable 200. This may be an indication of a hackingattempt, or a network balancing issue. Thus, a user within the serverroom through visual recognition of the network load for an attachedserver, can easily remedy the problem by diverting some of the networktraffic to an alternative server.

Referring now to FIG. 3, shown is a cross sectional view of the Ethernetcable of FIG. 2 taken along line 3-3, in accordance with embodiments ofthe present disclosure. In the illustrative embodiment, the visualindicator 105 (as referenced in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) is disposed beneath atransparent panel 301 that runs the length of the outer sheath 300 ofthe Ethernet cable 200. The transparent panel 301 is configured to allowthe color displayed from the visual indicator 105 to shine through theouter sheath 300 while providing protection to the twisted pair wires302 and visual indicator 105 disposed within the Ethernet cable 200. Inalternative embodiments, the transparent panel 301 may be any size andshape. For example, the transparent panel 301 may run the entire lengthof the Ethernet cable and have a width that is a quarter length of thecircumference of the outer sheath 300. In another embodiment, the entireout sheath 300 may be transparent, obviating the need for thetransparent panel 301.

Referring now to FIG. 4, shown is an example circuit diagram 400 of thecontrol unit 401 communicatively coupled to an Ethernet cable, inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In theillustrative embodiment, the control unit 401 includes a microcontroller403 that is communicatively coupled to a monitoring circuit 404, whereinthe monitoring circuit is configured to monitor the network traffic loadof a communicatively coupled Ethernet cable. The monitoring circuit 404may be any suitable monitoring circuit, such as an Ethernet to SerialPeripheral Interface (SPI) converter. The monitoring circuit 404 iscommunicatively coupled to a modified RJ45 connecter 402 of the Ethernetcable, such that incoming and outgoing data can be monitored. Themodified RJ45 connector 402 allows the control unit 401 to monitorEthernet activity, such as the network traffic load sustained by theEthernet cable. In an alternative embodiment, the control unit 401 mayinclude a port wherein a standard RJ45 connector may be insertedtherein, such that the monitoring circuit 404 may monitor networktraffic sustained on a standard Ethernet cable.

In one embodiment, the control unit 401 and LED driver of the visualindicator 405 (as described in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3) are poweredthrough a switch 406 using Power over Ethernet (PoE) via a directcurrent to direct current 407 power supply. The switch 406 may be anysuitable PoE switch, such as an IEEE 802.3af standard switch.Alternatively, when PoE is unavailable, the control unit 401 and LEDdriver of the visual indicator 405 may be powered through an alternatingcurrent (AC) to direct current 408 power supply via AC power 409. The ACpower may be generated from any suitable AC power source, such as an ACadapter.

Referring now to FIG. 5, shown is a flow diagram of an example process500 for displaying a network load using a visual indicator, inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The process 500may be performed by processing logic that comprises hardware (e.g.,circuitry, dedicated logic, programmable logic, microcode, etc.),software (e.g., instructions run on a processor to perform hardwaresimulation), firmware, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments,the process 500 is a computer-implemented process. The process may beperformed by a microcontroller exemplified in FIG. 1.

The process 500 begins by the microcontroller requesting the currentnetwork load details of a networking cable. This is illustrated by step505. The network load details may be determined from a monitoringcircuit that is communicatively coupled to the microcontroller. Themonitoring circuit is further communicatively coupled to the networkingcable, such that it can determine the network load details currentlysustained by the networking cable.

Once the monitoring circuit determines the current network load detailsof the networking cable, the process 500 continues by themicrocontroller receiving the current network load details of thenetworking cable. This is illustrated by step 510.

Once the microcontroller receives the current network details, theprocess 500 continues by the microcontroller instructing a visualindicator to display the received network load details. This isillustrated by step 515. Once instructed, the visual indicator isconfigured to illuminate to a color corresponding to the currentdetermined network load. In some embodiments, the color corresponding tothe current network load is illuminated along the length of thenetworking cable to visually show the current network load sustained bythe networking cable. The process 500 continues to repeat steps 505-515to constantly update the displayed network load details of thenetworking cable, such that an accurate network load can be determinedat any given time. It is contemplated that the process 500 can beprogrammed to repeat at various intervals set by a user duringprogramming. In some embodiments, the process 500 is triggered by a user(e.g., pressing a button on the control unit, transmitting a commandusing a mobile device) and repeats for a period of time (e.g., 5seconds).

Referring now to FIG. 6, shown is a flow diagram of an example process600 for instructing a visual indicator to display a color correspondingto the network traffic load of a networking cable, in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure. The process 600 may be performedby processing logic that comprises hardware (e.g. circuitry, dedicatedlogic, programmable logic, microcode, etc.), software (e.g.,instructions run on a processor to perform hardware simulation),firmware, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the process 600is a computer-implemented process. The process 600 may be performed by amicrocontroller exemplified in FIG. 1.

Process 600 further defines step 515 of process 500, by providingdetails on color determination for a corresponding network load. Process600 begins by microcontroller instructing the visual indicator todisplay the current network load details of the networking cable thatwere received from the monitoring circuit. This is illustrated in step605. The microcontroller indicates to the visual indicator to display acolor corresponding to the current network traffic load sustained by thenetworking cable. The instruction sent to the visual indicator isdetermined based on the current network load. This is illustrated instep 610. The network load ranges may be predefined by a user throughprograming the microcontroller. For example, if the current network loadfalls within a high network load range, the microcontroller willinstruct the visual indicator to display a red color. This isillustrated in step 615. In this way, the length of the networking cablewill be illuminated in red. Alternatively, if the current network loadfalls within a medium network load range, the microcontroller willinstruct the visual indicator to display a yellow color. This isillustrated in step 620. If the current network load range is determinedto be within a low network load range, the microcontroller will instructthe visual indicator to display blue. This is illustrated in step 625.Once instructed to display a color, the visual indicator is configuredto illuminate the length of the networking cable. In this way, a usercan easily determine the current network load of the networking cable,simple by looking at the color, such that no additional device isneeded.

In some embodiments, the control unit may further include an actuatorconfigured to intermittently blink the visual indicator. In this way, ifmultiple networking cables are utilized each having a visual indicator,it may be necessary to distinguish one networking cable from another ifthey are all displaying a similar color. Thus, a user may selectivelyactivate the actuator in order to blink the visual indicator of therespective cable, thereby allowing the user to easily locate the cablein a complex cable pattern.

In the illustrative embodiment, the process 600 continues by themicrocontroller receiving a request to blink the visual indicator. Thisis illustrated in step 630. The request is initiated by thecommunicatively coupled actuator being activated by a user. In responseto receiving the request to blink the visual indicator, themicrocontroller instructs the visual indicator to blink. This isillustrated in step 635. Once instructed, the visual indicator maycontinue to blink until the actuator is turned off. However, inalternative embodiments, the visual indicator may only blink one or moretimes, depending on a user defined preference.

Referring now to FIG. 7, shown is a high-level block diagram of anexample computer system 1101 that may be used in implementing one ormore of the methods, tools, and modules, and any related functions,described herein (e.g., using one or more processor circuits or computerprocessors of the computer), in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure. In some embodiments, the major components of thecomputer system 1101 may comprise one or more CPUs 1102, a memorysubsystem 1104, a terminal interface 1112, a storage interface 1116, anI/O (Input/Output) device interface 1114, and a network interface 1118,all of which may be communicatively coupled, directly or indirectly, forinter-component communication via a memory bus 1103, an I/O bus 1108,and an I/O bus interface unit 1110.

The computer system 1101 may contain one or more general-purposeprogrammable central processing units (CPUs) 1102A, 1102B, 1102C, and1102D, herein generically referred to as the CPU 1102. In someembodiments, the computer system 1101 may contain multiple processorstypical of a relatively large system; however, in other embodiments thecomputer system 1101 may alternatively be a single CPU system. Each CPU1102 may execute instructions stored in the memory subsystem 1104 andmay include one or more levels of on-board cache. In some embodiments, aprocessor can include at least one or more of, a memory controller,and/or storage controller. In some embodiments, the CPU can execute theprocesses included herein (e.g., process 500 and 600).

System memory 1104 may include computer system readable media in theform of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 1122 orcache memory 1124. Computer system 1101 may further include otherremovable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system datastorage media. By way of example only, storage system 1126 can beprovided for reading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatilemagnetic media, such as a “hard drive.” Although not shown, a magneticdisk drive for reading from and writing to a removable, non-volatilemagnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), or an optical disk drive forreading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile optical disc suchas a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided. Inaddition, memory 1104 can include flash memory, e.g., a flash memorystick drive or a flash drive. Memory devices can be connected to memorybus 1103 by one or more data media interfaces. The memory 1104 mayinclude at least one program product having a set (e.g., at least one)of program modules that are configured to carry out the functions ofvarious embodiments.

Although the memory bus 1103 is shown in FIG. 7 as a single busstructure providing a direct communication path among the CPUs 1102, thememory subsystem 1104, and the I/O bus interface 1110, the memory bus1103 may, in some embodiments, include multiple different buses orcommunication paths, which may be arranged in any of various forms, suchas point-to-point links in hierarchical, star or web configurations,multiple hierarchical buses, parallel and redundant paths, or any otherappropriate type of configuration. Furthermore, while the I/O businterface 1110 and the I/O bus 1108 are shown as single units, thecomputer system 1101 may, in some embodiments, contain multiple I/O businterface units 1110, multiple I/O buses 1108, or both. Further, whilemultiple I/O interface units are shown, which separate the I/O bus 1108from various communications paths running to the various I/O devices, inother embodiments some or all of the I/O devices may be connecteddirectly to one or more system I/O buses.

In some embodiments, the computer system 1101 may be a multi-usermainframe computer system, a single-user system, or a server computer orsimilar device that has little or no direct user interface, but receivesrequests from other computer systems (clients). Further, in someembodiments, the computer system 1101 may be implemented as a desktopcomputer, portable computer, laptop or notebook computer, tabletcomputer, pocket computer, telephone, smart phone, network switches orrouters, or any other appropriate type of electronic device.

It is noted that FIG. 7 is intended to depict the representative majorcomponents of an exemplary computer system 1101. In some embodiments,however, individual components may have greater or lesser complexitythan as represented in FIG. 7, components other than or in addition tothose shown in FIG. 7 may be present, and the number, type, andconfiguration of such components may vary.

One or more programs/utilities 1128, each having at least one set ofprogram modules 1130 may be stored in memory 1104. Theprograms/utilities 1128 may include a hypervisor (also referred to as avirtual machine monitor), one or more operating systems, one or moreapplication programs, other program modules, and program data. Each ofthe operating systems, one or more application programs, other programmodules, and program data or some combination thereof, may include animplementation of a networking environment. Programs 1128 and/or programmodules 1130 generally perform the functions or methodologies of variousembodiments.

As discussed in more detail herein, it is contemplated that some or allof the operations of some of the embodiments of methods described hereinmay be performed in alternative orders or may not be performed at all;furthermore, multiple operations may occur at the same time or as aninternal part of a larger process.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers, and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the variousembodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“includes” and/or “including,” when used in this specification, specifythe presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof. In the previous detaileddescription of example embodiments of the various embodiments, referencewas made to the accompanying drawings (where like numbers represent likeelements), which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way ofillustration specific example embodiments in which the variousembodiments may be practiced. These embodiments were described insufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice theembodiments, but other embodiments may be used and logical, mechanical,electrical, and other changes may be made without departing from thescope of the various embodiments. In the previous description, numerousspecific details were set forth to provide a thorough understanding ofthe various embodiments. But, the various embodiments may be practicedwithout these specific details. In other instances, well-known circuits,structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not toobscure embodiments.

Different instances of the word “embodiment” as used within thisspecification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but theymay. Any data and data structures illustrated or described herein areexamples only, and in other embodiments, different amounts of data,types of data, fields, numbers and types of fields, field names, numbersand types of rows, records, entries, or organizations of data may beused. In addition, any data may be combined with logic, so that aseparate data structure may not be necessary. The previous detaileddescription is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present disclosurehave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of specificembodiments, it is anticipated that alterations and modification thereofwill become apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it isintended that the following claims be interpreted as covering all suchalterations and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scopeof the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for displaying a network load of anetworking cable, the device comprising: a microcontroller operablyconnected to a networking cable, wherein the microcontroller isconfigured to perform a method comprising: requesting the network loadof the networking cable from a monitoring circuit; receiving the networkload of the networking cable from the monitoring circuit; andinstructing a visual indicator to display the network load of thenetworking cable, wherein the visual indicator is an RGB LED thatincludes an optical fiber embedded beneath a transparent panel of anouter sheath that runs along a length of the networking cable.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein instructing the visual indicator to displaythe network load of the networking cable includes: generating a promptinstructing the visual indicator to display a color selected from agroup consisting of a first color corresponding to a first network load,a second color corresponding to a second network load, and a third colorcorresponding a third network load.
 3. The device of claim 2, whereinthe first network load indicates a high network load, the second networkload indicates a medium network load, and the third network loadindicates a low network load.
 4. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising the networking cable.
 5. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising the monitoring circuit, wherein the monitoring circuit isconfigured to determine the network load of the networking cable.
 6. Thedevice of claim 5, wherein the monitoring circuit and themicrocontroller are part of a control unit disposed on the networkingcable, and wherein the monitoring circuit is communicatively coupled tothe microcontroller using a data bus.
 7. The device of claim 1, whereinthe network load is received via the networking cable.
 8. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the networking cable is an Ethernet cable and themonitoring circuit is communicatively coupled to a modified RJ45connector of the Ethernet cable, wherein the modified RJ45 connector isconfigured to monitor the network load.
 9. The device of claim 1,wherein the transparent panel includes a width that is a quarter of alength of a circumference of the outer sheath.
 10. The device of claim1, wherein the device is powered using Power over Ethernet.
 11. A methodfor determining a network load of a networking cable, the methodcomprising: requesting, by a microcontroller operably connected to anetworking cable, a network load of the networking cable from amonitoring circuit; receiving, by the microcontroller, the network loadof the networking cable from the monitoring circuit; and instructing, bythe microcontroller, a visual indicator to display a color correspondingto the network load of the networking cable, wherein the visualindicator is an RGB LED that includes an optical fiber embedded beneatha transparent panel of an outer sheath that runs along a length of thenetworking cable.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein instructing thevisual indicator to display the network load of the networking cableincludes: generating, by the microcontroller, a prompt instructing thevisual indicator to display a color selected from a group consisting ofa first color corresponding to a first network load, a second colorcorresponding to a second network load, and a third color correspondinga third network load.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the firstnetwork load indicates a high network load, the second network loadindicates a medium network load, and the third network load indicates alow network load.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the method furthercomprises: receiving, by the microcontroller, a request via an actuatorto blink the visual indicator; and instructing, by the microcontrollerand in response to the request, the visual indicator to blink.
 15. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the networking cable is an Ethernet cable.16. A computer program product comprising a computer readable storagemedium having program instructions embodied therewith, the programinstructions executable by a processor operably connected to anetworking cable to cause the processor to perform a method comprising:requesting a network load of the networking cable from a monitoringcircuit; receiving the network load of the networking cable from themonitoring circuit; and instructing a visual indicator to display thenetwork load of the networking cable, wherein the visual indicator is anRGB LED that includes an optical fiber embedded beneath a transparentpanel of an outer sheath that runs along a length of the networkingcable.
 17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein instructingthe visual indicator to display the network load of the networking cableincludes: generating a prompt instructing the visual indicator todisplay a color selected from a group consisting of a first colorcorresponding to a first network load, a second color corresponding to asecond network load, and a third color corresponding a third networkload.
 18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the firstnetwork load indicates a high network load, the second network loadindicates a medium network load, and the third network load indicates alow network load.
 19. The computer program product of claim 16, whereinthe method performed by the processor further comprises: receiving arequest to blink the visual indicator; and instructing, in response tothe request, the visual indicator to blink.
 20. The computer programproduct of claim 16, wherein the networking cable is an Ethernet cable.